Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-08-10
Tho League Battle for tho Champion.
ship-A Glance at tho
Field.
Prospects Of the Various Clubs - Better
Ball Playing This Year than
Ever Before.
[cHIcAao CORRESPONDENCE. !

CAn pIovout tuo WuIto OWcAluko AIOt0
winning the pennant again this seseon.
Thisis = mos sratitying ehanee IL -
drift Of public opinion and sentiment, for
not more than six weeks ago an indignant
public in this city was freely expressing its
disgust at the policy Of President Spald-
ing and Capt. Anson in releasing what was
looked upon AZ the most valuable men in
the team, and thus running the chances of
the city for even decent standing in this
years race. Messrs. Anson and Spalding,
however, builded wiser than the public
knew, with the result that Chicago has
probably the most capable ball team to-
day that it ever had. The race
thus far has been desperate struggle
from the start. With such strong clubs as
Pittsburg, Philadelphia, New York, Bos-
ton, and Detroit ahead of him, Anson's
task to pilot his own nine to the top was
thought to be too great for the famous
captain to accomplish. But he has done
it, thanks to his own matchless guidance
and the wonderful playing Of his men, and
TO- day he stands the same excellent chance
Of winning the flag as he did at this time
last year. The spurt made by the Chica-
gos is without a parallel in the history of
the league. 1t is record such as will prob
ably not be made again in years. Letters Of
q congratulatory nature have been pouring
in upon Anson from all sections of the
country for more than month past, and
there seems not to be sign remaining of
the condemnatory and critical spirit that
existed everywhere against Anson and the
| club at the outset of the season.
HOME AGAIN.
The champions returned last week from
their second Eastern trip, and are now upon
the Chicago grounds for a series of games
with all the Eastern clubs and three games
with Detroit. The boys are playing PEN
nant ball in every game. The three bat
teries are in splendid form, and every man
in the team has got his eyes on the ball.
Sullivan, Pfetfer, Clarkson and Baldwin
have picked up in their batting the past
week, while Burns. Van Haltren and Will
hanson have dropped off little. The
most pronounced feature Of the teams play
is the feld-work Of Pfetfer, Burns and
Williamson. The latter is without doubt
the finest short stop in the League. His
play. which was always good, has become
phenomenal, and is attracting attention all
over the country. Glasscock's title of
king Of Short Stops" is rapidly waning in
the light of Williamson's work. Pfeffer is
also playing remarkable ball, and the same
| may be said of Burns. The out-tield ap-
pears to be pretty near impregnable. Sui
hvan is covering more ground than a sum
mer squash vine, and Ryan, in center, is
attending to nearly everything that comes
his way.
BosToN's WORK.
As for Boston, the team next to Chicago
in the race, there seems to be something
between its players and winning ball
which even the influence Of the great and
| ol1 ~ 4 f, kn
peculiarly unfortunate away from home.
When the boys from the Hub came West
early in the summer Kelly got SO badly
crippled that he could not play. Several
other members of the team were suffering
from injuries. The boys had not been
away from home two days on the present
trip when Hornung was taken ill and had
to be left in New York. Kelly is now
doubled MP with cramps, and is scarcely
able to play. With Kelly and Hornung
out of condition, there isn't much
left in the Boston team to whip. The
club will be in great luck if it regains the
ground.it has lost during the past week.
| THE OTHER CLUBS.
II would be we'll for everybody to keeI
an eye on Philadelphia and New York
These clubs are not SO very far behind, and
what is more interesting, they are playing
stronger ball ss the season advances. One
or both Of these clubs will cause some
trouble. OF the tail-enders Pittsburgl
has been playing the better ball during the
past week. The fielding Of this team la.
been very fine all season, but they are still
lamentably weak with the stick. Ii thi.
club had had a half dozen good batters a
the beginning Of the season it would have
hand in the fight to-day. Indianapoli.
and Washington are showing q marked
improvement in playing strength, tn,
Eastern club in particular playing some o.
the greatest ball recorded this year.
A great many people seem to have mad,
up their minds that Detroit is going Il
take very big tumble in the race. On,
Chicago paper in particular expresses th'
opinion that it will be beaten on
and that even Philadelphia will give 1t
tough tussle before the season ends. Ii
the opinion OF your correspondent this 10
mistaken idea. In the face Of all this sor
of predictions that have been made for
month past, Detroit has gone right alonl
playing good ball. defeating the League
best teams, and staying at the to,
of tho string in the race, ant
the probabilities would, to an unprejudicet
mind, seem to point to its continuing as i
is unless Chicago alone among al tn,
other clubs can overtake it.
During the past week the management
of the Wolverines has spent no less thar
$1,000 in securing new players, fac
which proves more conclusively than any
thing else that the club intends staying i,
the League for not only the present season
but SO many more rs 1t chooses. Tn,
three men secured in the latest deals ar,
good ones. Gruber, the successful pitche
OF the Hartford Conn Club, va
the first one signed, and he has been triet
and has given satisfaction. The other
are Beatin and Kinslow, the crack batter,
of the Allentown {Pa.) Club, and il rec
ords count for anything they will prov,
valuable additions TO the niue. With III.
new material thus secured the club has
great deal more material than is needed
snd it is but natural to suppose that some
Of those whs are considered the least use.
ful will be allowed to go. The probabli
ties are that Brody and Weidman will b.
among those which the club will let 60.